Ukrainian Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Patterns of formation of the lymphoid tissue of the oesophageal tonsil in ducks at the early stages of the postnatal period of ontogenesis

Svitlana Usenko, Tetiana Mazurkevych, Piotr Kuropka, Zhanna Stegney
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Abstract

The relevance of studying the oesophageal tonsil of ducks at the early stages of the postnatal period of ontogenesis is linked to the need to analyse how the levels of structural organisation of its lymphoid tissue are established. In this context, the aim of the research was to determine the localisation and form of the lymphoid tissue of the oesophageal tonsil in Blagovarsky cross broiler ducks from 1 to 240 days of age. Morphometric investigations were carried out and the topography of the oesophageal tonsil was determined in ducks of the studied age groups. Biological material was fixed in a 10% solution of neutral formalin. For histological examination, paraffin blocks were prepared on a sledge microtome and histological sections were obtained, which were stained to reveal the structural features and area of the tissue components of the oesophageal tonsil. It was established that in ducks, the oesophageal tonsil was macroscopically visualised at the transition of the mucous membrane of the caudal part of the oesophagus into the glandular part of the stomach. Changes in its length and width were asynchronous. Up to 5 days of age, the lymphoid tissue of the oesophageal tonsil was represented only by the diffuse form. In ducks aged 10 days and older, primary and secondary nodules appeared. By 15 days of age, the oesophageal tonsil had reached morphofunctional maturity and was characterised by fully developed lymphoid tissue. In day-old ducklings, an infiltration of the glandular portions of the oesophageal glands and the excretory ducts by lymphocytes was observed. With increasing age, intensive colonisation of the epithelium of the oesophageal glands and the excretory ducts by lymphoid cells was recorded. As a result, the lumina of the glands narrowed and transformed into crypt-like openings that opened into the lumen of the oesophagus. The data obtained on the development of the lymphoid tissue of the oesophageal tonsil in broiler ducks during the initial age phases can be used to optimise rearing processes, improve productive performance and refine vaccination strategies to prevent dangerous infectious diseases

Keywords

immune formations; lymphoid nodules; morphometric investigations; poultry; mucous membrane of the oesophagus

Suggested citation
Usenko, S., Mazurkevych, T., Kuropka, P., & Stegney, Zh. (2026). Patterns of formation of the lymphoid tissue of the oesophageal tonsil in ducks at the early stages of the postnatal period of ontogenesis. Ukrainian Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 17(1), 11-30. https://doi.org/10.31548/veterinary1.2026.11
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